The following is an excerpt from her book. There are more detailed descriptions of the principles in the book, but I’ve highlighted key points.

Principle #1: Create a Positive Relationship with Time.

My old relationship with time was one in which I saw time as the enemy, Time was always eluding me, ignoring my needs, and leaving me stranded at moments when I needed just a little more. My new relationship with time is one in which I honor and cherish it. I’ve learned that if you develop a better relationship with your time and honor its value, you will gain the most you can with the time you have.

Principle #2: Commit to Your Values.

Determine what your values are in both your personal and professional life. Your values are those areas in your life on which you place a high priority, and nothing else is allowed to push its way in front of those areas. Some examples could be family, self-care, business, friends, community, or spirituality. The key is to peel back the layers on what you value most about a particular area in your life.

Principle #3: Create Boundaries and Embrace the Word “No.”

I can remember a time in my life where I would always say yes to anything that anyone asked me, because I wanted to feel like I was supportive to everyone in my life, sometimes even strangers. But if you are to live a life embracing what you value most, creating boundaries is necessary. A different way to look at boundaries is to think about the different types of time. There are three kinds of time we all have in our day:

Focused: Focused time is when you concentrate on an area of high importance in your personal or professional life.

Flex: Flex time is when you are performing the work associated with your business. Anything that involves working with clients or personal tasks is considered flex time.

Open: Open time is free time to enjoy family, friends, and self-care activities.

Principle #4: Master High-Priority Versus Low-Priority Tasks.

There are only twenty-four hours in a day, yet most of us would need double that to accomplish everything on our plate. It’s essentials that you gain a clear understanding about what is high priority and what is low priority.

Principle #5: Set Aside Focused Time.

Focused time is another tool you can use to evaluate your success on the road to entrepreneurship, as it helps you make sure you are on track with your goals. It’s a time when you eliminate all distractions to work on your Big Ideas and goals.

Principle #6: Master Your Energy Levels.

As we mature, our energy levels change. It’s important to notice when you are most energetic or have an energy surge during the day. In my own life, no matter what happens during the day, even if I’ve barely scratched the surface of my high-priority items, I go to bed at 10pm each night.

Principle #7: Operate in Your Genius.

In my work with women, one of the essential exercises we do together is peeling back the layers of their lives — both personally and professionally — to explore and discover their “gift,” or what I sometimes refer to as their “genius.” You may be reading this right now and thinking, “I don’t know what my gift is” or “I don’t have a gift.” But you do have a gift. You have genius inside you.
Joy Chudacoff is a Professional Certified Business and Life Coach. Her company, Smart Women Smart Solutions®, has helped women from all walks of life. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.

Comments

Ah, Lisa, Time is not my enemy. It’s just not my friend. I, like most of the human race, would love to own a 27 hour day- while the rest puttered around in their 23:59 lives…
But, seriously, these were great tips!Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. recently posted..Kidney Week 2013

I’d definitely take a few more hours in each day! I like Joy’s and your feelings about time, that they’re not the enemy. Her point about “accepting its value” makes it easier to drill down what’s important and what can wait. I was especially glad she included one of my favorite tips: “Say no.” That’s invaluable!Lisa recently posted..Discover the Seven Principles for Time Management

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